2023 Scholar of the Year Sefa Muñoz was on Guam to do her research on green sea turtles when Typhoon Mawar struck. She has no power and extremely spotty internet after the strongest storm to hit the U.S. territory in two decades, but is thankful to have running water and minimal damage and that family and friends are safe. She writes:

“Before the typhoon, about 30 nests were incubating on the nesting beach I was monitoring. Unfortunately, this beach was hit the hardest and based on its condition, it's likely that most of those eggs drowned and will be unsuitable for my proposed study. I'll very likely have to extend my stay here to start from scratch this nesting season and to gather as many samples as possible. Please send your well wishes that those mama turtles keep coming up to lay more eggs and that no more typhoons hit us this season!”